Loading...
The H-1B is the most common path from student to long-term worker in America. It's also a lottery—literally. With 85,000 visas and 400,000+ applicants, your odds are around 20-25%. But starting in 2026, the lottery is wage-weighted, meaning higher-paid workers get more entries. This section teaches you how to maximize your chances and what to do if you don't win.
Unlock the full roadmap — sign up now
Sign Up FreeExecute lottery strategy (play to win)
In 2026, the H-1B lottery is no longer a simple game of luck. It has become a strategic skill and salary contest. Because of the new Wage-Weighted Selection rules, your chances of staying in the U.S. long-term depend on how you position yourself in the year leading up to that final registration. Think of this as a marathon, not a sprint.
Sign up to unlockMaintain H-1B status (stay compliant)
Once you see that H-1B approval notice (the I-797) in your hands, take a deep breath, you’ve cleared the hardest hurdle. However, unlike the F-1 visa, the H-1B is a very specific contract. You are now authorized to work only for the employer who sponsored you, in the specific role they described, at the specific location they listed. Think of your H-1B as a high-performance vehicle: it can take you far, but it requires regular maintenance and strict adherence to the rules of the road.
Sign up to unlock